Actors are taught to act and opera singers are taught to sing - and all too rarely do the twain really meet.

The Florentine Opera Company's production of Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro," directed by Candace Evans, cast that notion aside Friday evening with a spot-on blend of absolutely sterling singing and audience-connected acting. | May 11, 2013»Read Full Article

The country-pop act has come a long way since an early morning gig at the Mayfield Mobil gas station in Richfield. Winning record and song of the year Grammys in 2011 for its smash breakthrough single "Need You Now," on top of many other awards in the past few years, the trio of Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood saw its last three albums at the top of the Billboard charts, with 13 million digital singles to date sold in the U.S., according to the Recording Industry Association of America. Included in that tally is the playful hit "Downtown," the lead single off the band's latest studio album, "Golden," released last May. An opening act has yet to be announced. | Jan. 23, 2014»Read Full Article

DUE OUT TUESDAY

RUSH (Universal) Ron Howard's fact-based tale set in the 1970s world of Formula One auto racing isn't just for gearheads. It's also a look at the rivalry of two wildly different drivers — a buttoned-down and unlikable perfectionist played by Daniel Brühl, and a glamorous and handsome playboy played by Chris Hemsworth — who reject each other's lifestyle but develop grudging respect for each other's driving skills. (R; sex, nudity, language, drug use, intense scenes) ★★★1/2| Jan. 23, 2014»Read Full Article

It was the third time that the West Bend-based Americana act Blessed Feathers had been live on WMSE-FM (91.7). But the experience was definitely different.

In previous years, the station's "Local/Live" program ran a half-hour, largely consisting of live in-studio performances from Milwaukee bands, with about five minutes to spare for an interview. | Jan. 23, 2014»Read Full Article

Time to start catching up on movies to fill out your Academy Awards brackets.

Most of this year's contenders are available, either still in theaters or available digitally. Sometimes you can see a bunch of them in a bunch: Marcus Theatres and AMC Theatres, for example, are both showing all nine best picture nominees in nightlong programs set for Feb. 22 and March 1. See their respective websites — marcustheatres.com and amctheatres.com — for details. | Jan. 23, 2014»Read Full Article

The massive music festival and conference attracts thousands of bands from all over the world for official and unofficial showcases, in pursuit of media exposure and potentially lucrative connections with managers, booking agents, publicists and record label representatives. | Jan. 23, 2014»Read Full Article